MAPLETON – “So many new things are going on” at the Drayton Fair this year, treasurer Arlie Zantinge told the Advertiser.
The fair is in its 167th year, and “We have an amazing year this year and we are so excited about it,” Zantinge said.
There will be a junior ambassador program, a birds of prey demonstration, family entertainment on both Saturday and Sunday, a mini pedal tractor pull for kids on Saturday, and a “mocktail” truck serving alcohol-free cocktails.
That’s on top of all the usual entertainment: a demolition derby Sunday; tractor pulls on Friday and Saturday; livestock, pet and baby shows; and a range of exhibitors and vendors.
This year the Drayton/Mapleton Agricultural Society’s fair, themed “Tipping the Scales with Bushels and Bales,” takes place from Aug. 9 to 11 at the Drayton Fairgrounds (49 Elm St.).
The children’s entertainment will include bouncy castles (five different inflatables) on both Saturday (1 to 9pm) and Sunday (12 to 5pm), face painting and a children’s activity table on Saturday, and Chuckles Balloons from 12 to 2pm on Sunday.
Zantinge said there’s always “lots of exuberant children” at the fair, which “might have something to do with the cotton candy – I’m not sure,” she said with a laugh.
The fair will include a goat show, a dairy show, beef show, a sheep show, a birds of prey demonstration, and a pet show. Photo from the Drayton Fair website
In a letter posted on the Drayton Fair website, Mapleton Mayor Gregg Davidson said he is “thrilled to invite you to join us for a spectacular event that will showcase the very best of our agricultural heritage.”
He said the fair “celebrates the beauty of agriculture and promises a day filled with fun, education and entertainment for the whole family.
“Set against the backdrop of a picturesque rural setting, ‘Tipping the Scales with Bushels and Bales’ offers an experience that will transport visitors to a world where farming and rural traditions take centre stage,” he states.
These traditions include shows that will “display the exceptional livestock bred by our talented farmers,” he added.
There will be a goat show on Saturday at 11am, followed by a dairy show at 12pm, birds of prey demonstrations at 2 and 4pm, a pet show at 3pm, and a baby show at 4pm.
The birds of prey demonstrations are run by a sanctuary and will include raptors such as eagles and hawks, Zantinge said.
On Sunday there will be a beef show at 12pm followed by a sheep show at 12:30pm.
This year, the goat and sheep shows include costumes, for both the handlers and animals, Zantinge said.
Alpacas are always a big draw. Advertiser file photo.
There will also be an interactive display from the Wellington County Library from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, as well as a petting zoo taking place at the same time.
And from 2 to 6pm on Saturday country singer Cara Smith will perform.
Food booths will open at 5pm on Friday and 12pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Zantinge said all the traditional fair foods will be available, such as burgers, grilled chicken, ice cream, cotton candy and “otter tails” (little beaver tails).
There will also be a Legion breakfast from 8 to 11am on Sunday, and a community worship service at 10am.
Exhibits open at noon on Saturday and Sunday and will include many of the fair’s regular exhibitors with crafts and canned fruits and vegetables, Zantinge said.
Davidson said the “fair aims to educate and create awareness about the importance of farming in our daily lives.
“Get ready for heart-pounding action with thrilling events like the demolition derby and tractor pulls, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat,” he states.
There will be a truck and tractor pull with local drivers at 6pm on Friday, and an Ontario Truck and Tractor Pulling Association pull on Saturday at 6pm.
The Friday pull will be a chance for “all the local guys to get to come out and show their big shiny tractors,” Zantinge said, and Saturday will be the “big guys with the smoke and flames.”
The fair finale will be a demolition derby on Sunday at 1pm.
“If you like crunching, that’s the one,” Zantinge said.
The Drayton/Mapleton Agricultural Society launched a bale decorating competition this year to advertise for the “Tipping the Scales with Bushels and Bales” Drayton Fair. The winning display will earn a prize of $400. Submitted photo
Drayton Fair sponsors include:
- top donors the Drayton Kinsmen and C. Deen Electric;
- Snetto Farm, Moonstone Poultry, and Jones Feed Mills, which are sponsoring the children’s inflatable activities;
- RE/MAX Reality – Jim Bowman and Brouwer Auto Care Service Centre, which are sponsoring the demolition derby; and
- Conestogo Agri Systems, Marwill Concrete Construction, Marquardt Farm Drainage, and Woodland Horizon.
Gates open at 5pm on Friday and 7:30am on Saturday and Sunday.
Admission is cash only at the gate. Weekend admission is $35 for adults and $5 for children.
Admission for just Friday night, Saturday night, or Sunday is $15. Admission for Saturday until 5pm is $10.
